NZ National League Women

The smashings the Auckland clubs are handing out makes me wonder if clubs south of Taupo like Dunedin Technical, Coastal Spirit SAS and Wellington United wouldn't do better than these thrown-together federation sides. I know the federation teams are supposed to be about giving players opportunities, but to my mind if players want to play at a higher level then they should trial with clubs that play at that level.

The mens league this year may shed some light. If the Auckland clubs pull away then it'll be clear that a strong league makes strong teams. But if totally dominant regional clubs like Christchurch United and Cashmere Technical perform well then that'll show that good club organisation and resources can make up for a weaker league.

problem with players trialling at clubs that have teams already at the higher level is that the big clubs get stronger and better, continuing to dominate local competitions and the lesser clubs continue to get worse to the point that everntually the lose all players and shut up shop becuase they cant compete. All the good players at one club kills clubs and leagues and future development.

Raynor

The smashings the Auckland clubs are handing out makes me wonder if clubs south of Taupo like Dunedin Technical, Coastal Spirit SAS and Wellington United wouldn't do better than these thrown-together federation sides. I know the federation teams are supposed to be about giving players opportunities, but to my mind if players want to play at a higher level then they should trial with clubs that play at that level.

The mens league this year may shed some light. If the Auckland clubs pull away then it'll be clear that a strong league makes strong teams. But if totally dominant regional clubs like Christchurch United and Cashmere Technical perform well then that'll show that good club organisation and resources can make up for a weaker league.

Indeed - NZF is bang on the money when they talk about having the same club environment all year round. Quite how Dunedin City Royals goes to pens with Northern Rovers but Southern United gets pillared by Auckland United and Western Springs is a mighty good question...

lthomas20

Raynor

The smashings the Auckland clubs are handing out makes me wonder if clubs south of Taupo like Dunedin Technical, Coastal Spirit SAS and Wellington United wouldn't do better than these thrown-together federation sides. I know the federation teams are supposed to be about giving players opportunities, but to my mind if players want to play at a higher level then they should trial with clubs that play at that level.

The mens league this year may shed some light. If the Auckland clubs pull away then it'll be clear that a strong league makes strong teams. But if totally dominant regional clubs like Christchurch United and Cashmere Technical perform well then that'll show that good club organisation and resources can make up for a weaker league.

Indeed - NZF is bang on the money when they talk about having the same club environment all year round. Quite how Dunedin City Royals goes to pens with Northern Rovers but Southern United gets pillared by Auckland United and Western Springs is a mighty good question...

Good question indeed.

lthomas20

Raynor

The smashings the Auckland clubs are handing out makes me wonder if clubs south of Taupo like Dunedin Technical, Coastal Spirit SAS and Wellington United wouldn't do better than these thrown-together federation sides. I know the federation teams are supposed to be about giving players opportunities, but to my mind if players want to play at a higher level then they should trial with clubs that play at that level.

The mens league this year may shed some light. If the Auckland clubs pull away then it'll be clear that a strong league makes strong teams. But if totally dominant regional clubs like Christchurch United and Cashmere Technical perform well then that'll show that good club organisation and resources can make up for a weaker league.

Indeed - NZF is bang on the money when they talk about having the same club environment all year round. Quite how Dunedin City Royals goes to pens with Northern Rovers but Southern United gets pillared by Auckland United and Western Springs is a mighty good question...

pretty easy answer if you take a look - coach resigned late so new coaching structure in place for Southern United.  I don't have the stats but heard a bunch of players didn't want to play in the NLw this season that did play club.
I believe a couple of the players who played Southern in the shortened series last season have also moved out of the area.

Any Otago Uni students in either team? 
Getting close to exam time, and some of them likely not keen on committing anymore to football this late in the Academic year.

Raynor

The smashings the Auckland clubs are handing out makes me wonder if clubs south of Taupo like Dunedin Technical, Coastal Spirit SAS and Wellington United wouldn't do better than these thrown-together federation sides. I know the federation teams are supposed to be about giving players opportunities, but to my mind if players want to play at a higher level then they should trial with clubs that play at that level.

The mens league this year may shed some light. If the Auckland clubs pull away then it'll be clear that a strong league makes strong teams. But if totally dominant regional clubs like Christchurch United and Cashmere Technical perform well then that'll show that good club organisation and resources can make up for a weaker league.

It's not really surprising, you have 4 teams that have been playing together all season, same coaches etc against 4 teams that have only come together in the last few weeks and several players in those regions for whatever reason have decided not to play this season.

It's good going towards a club based league but they actually need a plan and do it properly rather than a half arsed approach like this that seems to satisfy the Auckland teams. They also need to realise that the depth in the mens and women's games are different and allow some movement of players at the end of the regional rounds

Smashings? Canterbury got within 1 goal of Western Springs, that's not a smashing

Doloras

Smashings? Canterbury got within 1 goal of Western Springs, that's not a smashing

no its not but Southern United 0 Auckland United 7, Northern Rovers 5 Capital 0 and Eastern Suburbs 8 Central 0 are.....

The JourneyFan

Doloras

Smashings? Canterbury got within 1 goal of Western Springs, that's not a smashing

no its not but Southern United 0 Auckland United 7, Northern Rovers 5 Capital 0 and Eastern Suburbs 8 Central 0 are.....

Also this is not what the Auckland clubs asked for - and to be honest it doesn't really benefit anyone in it's current state but it *could* be a stepping stone to a better competition. 

I mean, the jokers on the Northern League forums are saying "bring back an all-Federation comp", but surely shifting to an all-club based comp is more sensible? I.e. Wharfies or Dunedin Tech could put up a better show

Just saw the WSAFC vs Pride highlights and it seems to have been even closer than the scores indicated? Like, the Pride beat the WS keeper twice and got an unlucky bounce off the post, while WS's third goal was desperately unlucky off the crossbar and the back of the keeper's hand. I don't think WS are the weakest of the Northern sides so Canterbury could cause some real damage.

coochiee

Any Otago Uni students in either team? 
Getting close to exam time, and some of them likely not keen on committing anymore to football this late in the Academic year.

A few that might have strengthened the main team and the youths I don't see in the squads.   Perhaps the few extra weeks rent they'd need to pay would be a factor as well.  If they were smart they'd use the 4 free trips to Auckland to bring suitcases home or bring gear down for next year!. 

Southern are really missing is Shontelle Smith, hopefully she comes back into the team soon. Also don't have last years top goal scorer in Amy Hislop. Bacon and de Ronde have moved to Wgtn. 
But can't find a squad list for them anywhere so not sure what's going on. 

Ranix

Southern are really missing is Shontelle Smith, hopefully she comes back into the team soon. Also don't have last years top goal scorer in Amy Hislop. Bacon and de Ronde have moved to Wgtn. 
But can't find a squad list for them anywhere so not sure what's going on. 

Amy Hislop moved to play college soccer in the US

Hard to say this without sounding sexist, but hopefully my intentions are sincere...

Women's football and men's football are not the same. Neither is the motivators for players in NZ.

As many have highlighted, some of the best ladies haven't turned up for the federation sides. That's because players want to play with their friends in an environment they enjoy - that environment is with their clubs. Doing summer with Feds just isn't worth it.

Likewise, we see very good player retention in Auckland, where the players get to stay with the club where their friends/coaches/environment they enjoy is.

20 Legend

Hard to say this without sounding sexist, but hopefully my intentions are sincere...

Women's football and men's football are not the same. Neither is the motivators for players in NZ.

As many have highlighted, some of the best ladies haven't turned up for the federation sides. That's because players want to play with their friends in an environment they enjoy - that environment is with their clubs. Doing summer with Feds just isn't worth it.

Likewise, we see very good player retention in Auckland, where the players get to stay with the club where their friends/coaches/environment they enjoy is.

100% spot on.  

It's not necessarily a sexist thing to say, but I'm interested to hear that the motivations are different for men?

Doloras

It's not necessarily a sexist thing to say, but I'm interested to hear that the motivations are different for men?

It's not exclusively motivations - it's also core numbers, there are probably heaps of Men who don't want to play in the NL section but because there is just more numbers it's not noticed as much.

Also I don't have the link on me but they did a voice of the participant survey a couple of years ago between Men and Women and there was a lot of questions about why they play and there was some big core differences.

Is this from talking to players in the South Island, mainland or Southern??

20 Legend

Hard to say this without sounding sexist, but hopefully my intentions are sincere...

Women's football and men's football are not the same. Neither is the motivators for players in NZ.

As many have highlighted, some of the best ladies haven't turned up for the federation sides. That's because players want to play with their friends in an environment they enjoy - that environment is with their clubs. Doing summer with Feds just isn't worth it.

Likewise, we see very good player retention in Auckland, where the players get to stay with the club where their friends/coaches/environment they enjoy is.

20 Legend

Hard to say this without sounding sexist, but hopefully my intentions are sincere...

Women's football and men's football are not the same. Neither is the motivators for players in NZ.

As many have highlighted, some of the best ladies haven't turned up for the federation sides. That's because players want to play with their friends in an environment they enjoy - that environment is with their clubs. Doing summer with Feds just isn't worth it.

Likewise, we see very good player retention in Auckland, where the players get to stay with the club where their friends/coaches/environment they enjoy is.

You're dead right. Having spent a fair amount of time around women's football and knowing a few players at NL level I can definitely say that in my experience their motivations are completely different to men's. 

From what I can see the social element is a massive factor and having fun almost goes past everything else. That's fine but it does limit the competitive potential of the football they play. It's one of the things that annoys my missus as she's a super competitive person and cares less about fun and more about winning.

With fed teams you don’t have any choice about who your coaching staff is going to be. If they don’t like it they don’t play. 

Southern have picked up some non southern players this week.

Feverish

With fed teams you don’t have any choice about who your coaching staff is going to be. If they don’t like it they don’t play. 

Southern have picked up some non southern players this week.

Who?

lthomas20

Feverish

With fed teams you don’t have any choice about who your coaching staff is going to be. If they don’t like it they don’t play. 

Southern have picked up some non southern players this week.

Who?

There's no squad list anywhere so who knows?

Predicting:
Auckland Utd 2-2 Western Springs (both look pretty impressive atm)
Central 0-8 Northern Rovers (probably the best team against the worst)
Pride 3-2 Eastern Suburbs (Pride should get up at home)
Capital 3-0 Southern (surely Capital won't continue to underperform so much)

Bit tough for AU today (as well as for Springs) having to head over to Ellerslie after Keith Hay Park flooded. New pitch for the women's world cup training ground can't come soon enough, and the Council needs to clear the bloody pipe. 

lthomas20

Feverish

With fed teams you don’t have any choice about who your coaching staff is going to be. If they don’t like it they don’t play. 

Southern have picked up some non southern players this week.

Who?

Kennedy Bryant & Sarah Morton

More like phone a friend (sister) after their 7-0 loss against Auckland or they would have been with them from the start

The JourneyFan

lthomas20

Feverish

With fed teams you don’t have any choice about who your coaching staff is going to be. If they don’t like it they don’t play. 

Southern have picked up some non southern players this week.

Who?

Kennedy Bryant & Sarah Morton

Unknwn Quantity

More like phone a friend (sister) after their 7-0 loss against Auckland or they would have been with them from the start

The JourneyFan

lthomas20

Feverish

With fed teams you don’t have any choice about who your coaching staff is going to be. If they don’t like it they don’t play. 

Southern have picked up some non southern players this week.

Who?

Kennedy Bryant & Sarah Morton

Seems to have worked with two wins on the trot?

Sure has - for this season at least

lthomas20

Unknwn Quantity

More like phone a friend (sister) after their 7-0 loss against Auckland or they would have been with them from the start

The JourneyFan

lthomas20

Feverish

With fed teams you don’t have any choice about who your coaching staff is going to be. If they don’t like it they don’t play. 

Southern have picked up some non southern players this week.

Who?

Kennedy Bryant & Sarah Morton

Seems to have worked with two wins on the trot?

I've noticed that after Round 4 next weekend played on Friday/Saturday, there's another round on the Monday, Labour Day. This is all well and good but can I just ask why the heck did the brainiacs that made the fixture make them literal reverse fixtures of the games only 2-3 days prior? Seems stupid. Anyone in the know?

lthomas20

I've noticed that after Round 4 next weekend played on Friday/Saturday, there's another round on the Monday, Labour Day. This is all well and good but can I just ask why the heck did the brainiacs that made the fixture make them literal reverse fixtures of the games only 2-3 days prior? Seems stupid. Anyone in the know?

 It is what they have done the last few years.  If you look closely you will see that they are all local derbies. Central v Capital, Canterbury v South, Auckland sides playing each other.    

Interesting Round 8. Good results for the Cantabs, Capital seem able to compete with their opponents a bit more recently but scarce improvements in results (wins against Central are a given so don't really count). Eastern Suburbs totally in control at the top now after beating Springs 4-2. AU smashed Central as expected. Southern a bit lucky to draw against Rovers in the end but another good defensive performance. 

Well what a turn around by Southern. After being walloped 7-0 by Auckland City at home at the start of the season.
To beating them 4-1 this weekend in Auckland.

Ranix

Well what a turn around by Southern. After being walloped 7-0 by Auckland City at home at the start of the season.
To beating them 4-1 this weekend in Auckland.

I think you mean Auckland Utd not City

chopah

Ranix

Well what a turn around by Southern. After being walloped 7-0 by Auckland City at home at the start of the season.
To beating them 4-1 this weekend in Auckland.

I think you mean Auckland Utd not City

Yes sorry my bad. Auckland United.

Western Springs 9 - 0 Central. My little girl had the honour of being a mascot and leading captain Sofia Garcia out (who scored a goal).

Final home game for Hirano and Takeda (back to Japan) and Pijnenburg (got a gig with Feyenoord).

Southern United beating Suburbs, great to see. Guess they weren't playing for a lot but still... funny that the only two games ES haven't won were both against South Island opposition

National League expanded for 2023

4x club teams from Northern League
3x federation sides (1 Central, 2 Capital) to be delivered in partnership with clubs from the regions
2x Federation side from South Island (Canterbury United & Southern United)
1x Phoenix reserves

article here

Hmmm. On one hand I'm disappointed to be moving to a single round. On the other hand, excited at the vision of moving to a fully club-based formula and the participation of the Wāhinix. On the third hand, because I'm a mutant, Capital didn't do so well last time so I shudder to see how Capital A and Capital B might perform - why not just move to two Capital clubs immediately?